David Luiz has backed Brazil team-mate Paulinho to make a huge impact in the Premier League should he complete his £17million move to Tottenham.

Reports in France today have suggested that Sunderland have forced their way ahead of Arsenal in the pursuit of 18-year-old Le Havre left-back Benjamin Mendy by agreeing a fee for the player.

FULHAM CHRONICLE

Stoke have shown an interest in former Fulham utility man Chris Baird. The Northern Ireland star, who can play in defence or midfield, is a free agent. West Brom, Crystal Palace and Bolton have also made enquiries.

MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS

Barcelona have been urged to cash in on Manchester United target Thiago Alcantara by Dutch legend Johan Cruyff if they are not going to play him.

Manchester City defender Aleks Kolarov is eager to follow Carlos Tevez and join Serie A side Juventus. The Serbian left-back has told the Blues that the lack of first-team opportunity is the reason he wants to go.

LIVERPOOL ECHO

Everton FC are in talks with Liverpool city council over a site for a new stadium which is close to their Goodison home. Blues chairman Bill Kenwright said he remains confident the council is 'extremely positive in their desire to help', after making the revelation during the club's first general meeting with shareholders in five years last night.

NEWCASTLE CHRONICLE

Newcastle United are continuing to monitor Gabon international Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and could be poised to make a bid for the St Etienne star - but they are not chasing Marseille star André-Pierre Gignac.

Sunderland have made a loan bid for Bologna striker Robert Acquafresca, according to sources in Italy. The 25-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Levante, scoring three goals in 16 appearances.

THE JOURNAL

Joe Kinnear's first foray into the transfer market as Newcastle United's director of football looks doomed to failure with mega-rich Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala muscling in on their bid for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Sunderland's hopes of luring Czech Republic striker Matej Vydra to Wearside have received a boost after Udinese rejected an £8million bid from Werder Bremen for the player - and his agent claimed he is "likely" to move to the Premier League instead. The Black Cats face competition from West Brom, West Ham and Swansea City for the 21-year-old.

NORTHEN ECHO

New Middlesbrough signing Jozsef Varga hopes to stay at the Riverside Stadium beyond his season-long loan. The defensive midfielder will join on a long-term loan on July 1 from Debrecen.

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST

Dorus de Vries, the former Swansea City goalkeeper, has been told he can leave Wolves for free. The 32-year-old, who has a year left on his contract, reportedly held talks with an undisclosed club in his homeland Holland.

BIRMINGHAM MAIL

Curtis Davies explains why he left Birmingham for Hull City and says losing Nathan Redmond would be a big blow for the club.

EXPRESS & STAR

West Brom are preparing to step up their interest in Scott Sinclair as the Manchester City winger attempts to broker a loan exit.

Wolves have agreed a six-figure fee with Bolton for full-back Sam Ricketts - but the news could spark a scramble for his services.

READING POST

Reading will play FC Olhanense in the second game of their pre-season tour of Portugal. The match will be played on Friday, July 19 and will kick-off at 8pm at the Estadio Municipal de Leiria.

WIGAN EVENING POST

Owen Coyle is planning a punishing pre-season programme for his Wigan Athletic players despite the long season ahead.

THE BOLTON NEWS

Wolves have got company in their pursuit of Wales international Sam Ricketts. The Molineux men have opened talks with Wanderers about a possible deal for the 31-year-old defender but it has now emerged that three other clubs - two from the Championship - have also lodged an interest.

EVENING TIMES

Stevie Smith is confident he can oust Lee Wallace from the Rangers left-back berth next term.

THE SCOTSMAN

Hearts have received a "significant" payment from sponsors Wonga.com as they took a huge step towards survival. The digital finance company has paid next season's sponsorship money in full ahead of schedule to administrators BDO to help the ailing Edinburgh club.

Readers' Comments

I

t's wrong to be making a joke out of Bender's name at the expense of gay people. It's the kind of childish, uncivilised thing that Football365 would deride and ridicule if it was another media outlet saying. Why is there a need for jokes like this? Does it make your writers feel like men? F365 might suggest that I 'lighten up', but it is genuinely traumatic for people who have been oppressed all their lives to be the butt of jokes, and to be told...

ou can't blame De Gea for wanting to leave, he has enough to do in front of goal as it is as well as taking on the role of Man Utd's version of Derek Acorah in trying to contact and organise a defence that isn't there.